Unfair… Read Full Bio ↴The Auteurs was a British alternative rock band of the 1990s.
Unfairly dismissed as the egotrip of acclaimed songwriter Luke Haines, The Auteurs were one of the unsung bands of the mid-nineties Britpop movement. Releasing their first record, New Wave, in 1993, the Auteurs were compared to Suede, and the resurgent glam-rock movement, and began to amass a reasonable cult following. 1994's second album, and commercial highlight, Now I'm A Cowboy, saw the band embracing at times a more contemporary sound, notably on the single Lenny Valentino, which probably remains Haines' best-known song. Now I'm A Cowboy was marked out by sprawling guitar lines as much as by Haines' inimitable lyrics, a kind of visceral social commentary. While touring this album in 1995, Haines jumped off a fifteen-foot wall, breaking both ankles, resulting in his being in a wheelchair for the rest of that year, recording the starker, angrier third album After Murder Park, most notable for the ballad-like lead single Unsolved Child Murder, released for Christmas at Haines own bidding. Following this, Haines took time out to work on other projects such as Black Box Recorder and Baader Meinhof, reforming the Auteurs in 1999 for the release of the mostly overlooked final album, How I Learned To Love The Bootboys.
While Haines remains widely respected for his lyrical eloquence and eye for the minutae of life, his eccentric, confrontational personality, and habit of styling himself as a louche ne'er-do-well, perhaps impeded the formation of a more affectionate bond with his fans. The Auteurs, similarly, tended to be respected rather more than they were loved.
Everything You Say Will Destroy You
The Auteurs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
who were looking really hopeless
well it didn't seem that callous
till they stopped you in your flow
she's surrounded by her wardens
and they're looking really nervous
all about the man from reuters
here to nullify your glow
everything you say will destroy you
- anyway
everything you say will come haunt you
round each corner
everything you say will destroy you
well you may think that you're buddha
lying on a mound of ashes
you were mentioned in the postscript of
dispatches anyway
and the majors really nervous
when he's walking round the airport
you know your master's card is marked
your upstart charge is cool and smart
your unwanted suitor
leaves his things around your home
he's marking out his territory
he's pissing on your ansaphone
well you may think that you're buddha
lying on a mound of ashes
you were mentioned in dispatches
in the postscript anyway
The Auteurs' song Everything You Say Will Destroy You presents different scenarios that lead to one inevitable outcome: destruction. The opening lines depict a bleak scenario where dead bodies are sent back, and the people who were looking for hope stops. It then shifts to a scene where a woman is surrounded by wardens, who are nervous about a man from Reuters who will "nullify your glow" - possibly referencing someone who will ruin her reputation or career. The lyric "everything you say will destroy you" emphasizes the destructive power of words and the consequences that follow when we speak carelessly or maliciously.
The song's verses then proceed to highlight different situations where words have caused destruction. The reference to Buddha "lying on a mound of ashes" serves as an allegory for someone who has achieved enlightenment but still finds themselves vulnerable to harm. The line "you were mentioned in dispatches in the postscript anyway" implies that even if we try to avoid causing harm, the world will still find a way to drag us down. The reference to the major being nervous and the master's card being marked highlights the power dynamics at play in these situations, where those in positions of authority can make or break others with their words.
Overall, the song speaks to the power dynamics in society and how words can be used as weapons to destroy others. The repetition of the lyrics "everything you say will destroy you" emphasizes the severity of the message, leaving the listener with a stark warning to choose their words carefully.
Line by Line Meaning
well they sent back all the bodies
The people were desperate and needed help but the authorities could only return their lifeless bodies.
who were looking really hopeless
These people had lost their faith in life as their situation seemed inescapable and grim.
well it didn't seem that callous
The return of lifeless bodies did not appear insensitive or cruel, given the hopeless state the people were in.
till they stopped you in your flow
The situation took a turn for the worse when they inhibited your progress or goals.
she's surrounded by her wardens
The woman is being watched or guarded by people who do not trust her or her intentions.
and they're looking really nervous
The guards are worried about the situation and the possible consequences of their actions.
all about the man from reuters
The focus is on the journalist from the Reuters news organization.
here to nullify your glow
The journalist's mission is to undermine and negate the positive impact and image you have created.
everything you say will destroy you
Your words have the power to ruin your reputation and ultimately your life.
- anyway
Regardless of the circumstances, the outcome will remain the same.
everything you say will come haunt you
The consequences of what you say will follow and torment you wherever you go.
round each corner
You can never escape the consequences, as they will appear at every turn or corner in your life.
well you may think that you're buddha
You may consider yourself as enlightened and free from worldly attachments.
lying on a mound of ashes
You may be in a state of detachment or renunciation, but it is also a reminder of death and transience.
you were mentioned in the postscript of
It is noteworthy that you were mentioned, but not significant enough to be part of the main narrative.
dispatches anyway
The communication or reporting of events, regardless of their relevance or importance.
and the majors really nervous
The higher authorities are anxious and uneasy about the situation.
when he's walking round the airport
The major is around the airport, probably because he is part of the response or investigation team.
you know your master's card is marked
You are aware that your actions have not gone unnoticed and that the authorities are keeping tabs on you.
your upstart charge is cool and smart
Your rebellious or arrogant behavior seems sophisticated or clever, but it will ultimately lead to your downfall.
your unwanted suitor
Someone who pursues you romantically, but whom you do not welcome or desire.
leaves his things around your home
The unwanted suitor is making himself too comfortable or familiar in your personal space.
he's marking out his territory
The suitor is trying to establish his dominance or ownership over you and your space.
he's pissing on your ansaphone
The suitor is disrespecting you and your possessions by defiling your answering machine.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LUKE MICHAEL HAINES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Frédéric RIBOT
One of my favourites